ARTICLES ABOUT ZONING BY DATE - PAGE 2

YORK - The York County Planning Commission voted unanimously denied rezoning York Point, a Seaford neighborhood home to about 95 properties. The recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration next Tuesday. It could choose to go along with the commission's decision or vote to rezone York Point. Despite that decision, the commission opened the possibly to add the neighborhood currently zoned resource conservation and 80 other subdivisions to a newly created R33 zoning classification, which applies to low-density subdivisions with a minimum lot size of 33,000-square-feet and does not allow agriculture or aquaculture, in the future.

YORK — The York County Planning Commission voted unanimously denied rezoning York Point, a Seaford neighborhood home to about 95 properties. The recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration next Tuesday. It could choose to go along with the commission's decision or vote to rezone York Point. Despite that decision, the commission opened the possibly to add the neighborhood currently zoned resource conservation and 80 other subdivisions to a newly created R33 zoning classification, which applies to low-density subdivisions with a minimum lot size of 33,000-square-feet and does not allow agriculture or aquaculture, in the future.

YORK — Farmers and property rights advocates are planning a rally before the York County Planning Commission meeting Wednesday night. The "Pitchfork Protest" is expected to begin around 6 p.m. and last an hour, when the commission meets to get public comments on possible changes to York County's agricultural zoning. The proposal before the commission asks it to study three options that could restrict or eliminate farming from the county's zoning ordinances. The changes were prompted by a law that goes into effect Jan. 1 that forbids it from requiring permits for agricultural activities.

Let's be smarter I'm [frustrated] with the York County Board of Supervisors' sloppy use of a tool critical to maintaining the quality of life in York County — the zoning ordinance. Once, Mother Nature controlled residential building in a rural York County but as "city water" and sewer services expanded, previously unbuildable tracts became home sites. Nevertheless, the disappearance of "rural" from the "rural residential" neighborhoods did not register with Supervisors. Hence, a home owner living on a half-acre lot with nearby neighbors can still claim a right to engage in all activities listed under "agriculture" in the zoning ordinance.

YORK — Proposed zoning changes could prevent farming on more than 6,000 residential properties in York County. A group of Seaford residents petitioned for the changes, but they were something the county was already considering following the passage of a bill in the General Assembly that blocks the county's oversight of new oyster farms or aquaculture operations through a permitting process. House Bill 1089, which adds aquaculture as an allowable practice in districts zoned for agricultural, is awaiting Gov. Terry McAuliffe's signature.

NEWPORT NEWS - Newport News Public Schools is considering a realignment of some of its attendance zones to expand its early learning initiative. The School Board will hear about the proposal at a business meeting Tuesday. The change would create a two-year early learning initiative at Marshall Early Childhood Center, according to a bulletin attached to the meeting agenda. The center would focus on reading, writing and mathematics in preschool and kindergarten. If approved, some students starting kindergarten in September 2014 would be moved from An Achievable Dream Academy, Magruder Primary, and Newsome Park Elementary School to Marshall Early Childhood Center.

Students at Christopher Newport University and Menchville High School in Newport News were the first to join a new dating violence prevention initiative that's planned to work its way into schools across the U.S. CNU held a kick-off ceremony Wednesday to teach students about the program called "Green Zone. " The color-coded system aims to help students identify unhealthy relationship behaviors. One in five female high school students report being physically and sexually abused by a dating partner, Rosemary Trible said to the audience of about 75. "Together, it is our hope that we can prevent violence before it happens," she said.

The Peninsula metropolitan region has one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the country. Early diagnosis and treatment can cut the transmission rate by up to 90 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Find out where you can get tested, by going to www.dailypress.com/health. Get tested! What: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day When : Friday, Feb. 7. Info: Go to http://www.dailypress.com/health and click on "Find a testing site near you. " Or, call Virginia STD/AIDS Hotline, 800-533-4148.

By Robert Brauchle, rbrauchle@dailypress.com | 757-247-2827 and By Robert Brauchle, rbrauchle@dailypress.com | 757-247-2827 | January 26, 2014

HAMPTON - The city has started buying properties just west of the Langley Air Force Base runway to protect people in the event an aircraft falls short of its intended target. Hampton has spent $3.36 million using state and city dollars to buy properties within an area known as the Langley "clear zone," Hampton Director of Federal Facilities Bruce Sturk said. The city has appraised 17 parcels owned by 10 cooperative property owners. The city bought two properties and officials are finishing contracts on three other properties.

NORFOLK -- The Georgia Southern Eagles gambled that Old Dominion freshman reserve guard Jordan Baker wouldn't beat them with his jump shot. The Eagles lost that bet. Baker, a former Hampton High standout, shook off a recent slump and led the way as the Monarchs shot lights-out in the opening 20 minutes and raced past the Eagles 86-69 Saturday at the Constant Center. It was a great day all around for former Peninsula District Monarchs. Guard Aaron Bacote, a Bethel High product, scored 26 points and guard Dimitri Batten, who played for Heritage and Kecoughtan, added 13 for Old Dominion.